Arrangement for the control of a variable-speed mechanism



1950 F P J. H. DUMCNT 2,529,379

ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1948 6 Shets-Sht 1 c; g N

o W) m N u N H 3 w I a I n 0 b.

0% D g (Q 3 0 a? w Q a o N i H H 71 0 q Q o H a k N a o 6 H INVENTOR N FPJ/z D/mflf BY MM $194M ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1950 F. P. J. H. DUMONT ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL 0F A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed De c. 2. 1948 INVENTOR- ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1950 F. P. J. H. DUMONT 2,529,379

ARRANGEMENT FoR THE CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ly. a! 06 INVENTOR Fpcf/fflumonf BY WZZZS M ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1950 F. P. J. H. DUMONT v ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL-OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 2, 1948 INVENTOR FPJ/fDL m BY WW ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1950 F. P. J..H. DUMONT 2,529,379

ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1948 a Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Nov. 7, 1950 F. P. J. H. DUMONT 2,529,379

ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Filed Dec. 2, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VENTOR F/DJHDu/wonf BY wdms ww ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1950 ARRANGEMENT FOR THE CONTROL OF A VARIABLE-SPEED MECHANISM Francois Pierre Joseph Hector Dumont,

Jambes, Belgium Application December 2, 1948, Serial No. 63,042

In Belgium August 12, 1948 8 Claims. (01. 1923.5)

This invention relates to an arrangement for the control of a variable-speed mechanism which is disposed between a clutch mechanism and a driven shaft, said arrangement comprising between a member for operating the variable-speed mechanism, which is within reach of the user, and a cam serving to drive at least one member having a reciprocating motion which forms part of the variable-speed mechanism, at least one spring placed under load by the operation of the aforesaid member but prevented from actuating the variable-speed mechanism until the instant when a locking member which holds the aforesaid camv fast and which is connected to the member controlling the de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism is disengaged from its locking position under the action of the said last member at the instant when the de-clutching takes place.

With the object of enabling preparatory action to be taken for an alteration in the speed ratio between the output shaft of the clutch mechanism and the driven shaft without interrupting the transmission of the driving motion at this instant, and with the further object of automatically producing the alteration in the speed ratio durin the de-clutching of the clutch mechanism, the applicant has already produced an arrangement of this nature in which the operating member is constituted by an axially movable rod which is connected to a cylinder adapted to slide with respect to another rod which is situated in the extension of the first rod and which is connected by a complex assemblage of mechanical connections to the aforesaid cam. Since in practice the two rods are almost parallel to said cam remains stationary as long as a lockf, 5

ing device by which the said cam is held fast is engaged in its locking position. The cam is released during the de-clutching of the clutchf mechanism owing to a mechanical connection between the said locking device and the member 1 employed to effect the de-clutching.

The present invention has for its object to provide an arrangement for controlling the variable f speed mechanism, which is simpler, lighter, more compact and easier to maintain than the pre- 7 1 ceding arrangement.

To this end, in the arrangement according to the invention the aforesaid operating member is J a bar which can be rotated about its axis by the user and which, at the instant when the aforesaid locking device is disengaged from its locking position, can set in rotation another bar on which the aforesaid cam is keyed, through the intermediary of a spring of which one extremity is adapted to rotate together with one of the bars,

while the other extremity thereof is connected to an outfit adapted to rotate about the other bar and abutting against a member connected to:

the latter bar.

In other words, the aforesaid spring must'bei able to exert a torsional'couple on the bar sup;

material such as rubber.

By the direct mounting of the aforesaid on a bar forming part of the arrangement according to the invention and adapted to rotate under the control of the aforesaid spring, which' is itself tensioned by rotation of the operating bar, any complication of parts due to multiple mechanical connections between the output end,

alternating rotational movement of the cam. The reciprocating translational movement of the operating rod is transmitted to the other rod by a resilient connection which comprises two coil springs mounted 'in opposition in the cylinder, on either side of a projection integral with the rod with respect to which the cylinder is adapted to slide. These springs are in fact disposed between the ends of the cylinder and rings movable with respect to the aforesaid projection and adapted to be applied against the said projection or against an abutment connected to the cylinder. When the cylinder is moved axially by the operating rod, the rod connected to the afore of the arrangement according to the invention and the cam is advantageously removed.

In an advantageous form of embodiment, the

arrangement according to the invention com-v prises two springs mounted in opposition and.)

connected to a casing integral with one of the g bars and comprising abutments for two rotatable outfits disposed on either side of a projection on g I that one of the two bars on which the casing is not keyed, the said movable outfits being urged by the opposing springs connected individually the tension of one of the two opposing springs-,1

may be considerable at the end of the engage.-

ment stroke of these parts, the two aforesaid pposing springs are fitted with an initial tension. Consequently, at the end of the aforesaid engagement stroke, the spring which. effects the engagement still has a certain tensiomwhile. the spring mounted in opposition is neutralised by the abutment of the casing oo-operating with. the movable outfit to which the latter spring is connected. The cam is therefore rapidly and forcefully displaced until the end of the desired movement, and should it tend to move beyond" the end of its proper path its movement would immediately. be. strongly opposed by the spring. which. is mounted, also. with. initial. tension, in.

oppositionto that by which. it has .been displaced,

while. the action of the latter spring. wouldat. thesame.time-beneutralised by the corresponding. abutment. of .the casing acting. on the movable outfit to which. thisspringis connected.

Since it may be; of advantage. toprevent the. user'from shifting the. operating bar fromany given positionin. the. direction of an: increase of.

the speed,- as. far as thev position corresponding. to the speed ratio which follows.- that which. is. nearesttheratio atthe start, the. casing is,pro--- vided. with a third abutment which is so disposed thattheoperatingbar is stopped when. it.

is shifted in the: direction corresponding to an.

increase inrspeed, beyond-the position corre sponding' to the. speed. stage. next to that from which: the. movement.- was. commenced, before. it. 7

has-covered: an angular distance. equal to. thatseparating; any twornon-adjacent. stages.. Thus, the user obliged actually toemploy all the. successive speed. stageswhen he desires. to in.- crease the speedvof-the driven-shaft.

In a preferred form of embodiment the. aforesaid springs arespirallycoiled.

Further features and. details: of theinyention of a form of construction of the control arrange- V ment'according to the; invention, the various elements of which have been shown spaced apart;

in order that the details thereof may be more clearly-seen, this view correspondin to the angular' position of the elements for the transmission of the movement for the third speed ratio.

Figure 4 is'a sectional view on the line IVIV of Figure 2; this view showing the elements in the position which they occupy when the variablespeed mechanism is in the neutral position;

Figures 5 to 8 show various angular positions of "the cam illustrated in Figure 4, for the first, second, third and" fourth speed" respectively.

Figures 9* and 10 illustrate diagrammatically plate-3 is keyed by means ofa key 4.

4 the position occupied by certain elements of the arrangement according to the invention as shown in the preceding Figures, this osition corresponding to the position of the operating lever as shown in Figure 3.

Figures 11 and 12, and 13 and 14 show the same elements as Figures 9 and 10?, during the preparation for and the setting-up of the fourth speed.

Figures 15 and 16 show diagrammatically a variant of the arrangement according to the invention in amanner similar to that proposed for Figures 9 and 10.

Figures 17 and 18, and 19 and 20 show diagrammatically two other variants of the arrangemerit. according toth invention in a manner .similar to that proposed for Figures 9 and 10.

Figure. 21 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the'mechanism for effecting the de-clutching and the unlocking by means of which the speedchanging is rendered possible.

In' these various figures, similar references des ignate identical elements;

In Figure 1, 2 is a driving shaft on which a I Formed in the said plateare recesses 5 for springs ii which' bear against a plate 1 rotated by the'plate' 3 but adapted to be displaced axially with respect" to the latter plate. Theplate l" i separated from a ring, 8 in rotational engagement with the plate 3 by a clutch disc 9 provided with friction linings ID. The clutch disc 9 is in rotational engagement with a shaft H.

A 1nd l2 sliding in the shaft II is arranged to I be displaced in the direction of the arrow X by' the thrust exerted on one ofits extremities'b'y a ball-thrust bearing l4 mounted in a sleeve i3" and actuated by a roller supporting rod IS, on which act the two arms of a fork Hi4 which will hereinafter be described; The mechanism producing the displacement of the said rod is will be described at a later stage. When the rod I2 is forced in the direction of the arrow X; the" .;plate 1 is maintained at a distance from the clutch disc 9 and theshaft H'is disengaged. Im-

mediately the thrust in the direction of the arrow' X ceases to be exerted, the springs 6 force the plate 1 against the clutch disc 9 and the said clutch disc is set in rotation by locking of' it's friction linings In between the ring 8 and theplate I. i

The shaft H constituted the input shaft of'a variable-speed mechanism, the output member of which is constituted by a coaxial sleeve l5 supporting a sprocket wheel l6 and adapted to turn freely with respect to the shaft ll. Mounted on the shaft I! is a sliding pinion ll" (Figures 1 and 3) having lateral sets of teeth l3 and I9. In the position shown, these sets are not in engagement with any other set of teeth. The sliding pinion I! is rotated with the shaft H by the aid' of ribs 25, but it' can be displaced'parallelto the axis of the shaft in the direction of the double arrow Y so that its lateral. teeth ['8 may be brought into engagement with the lateral: teeth 2] of a toothed wheel 22 mounted loose onthe. shaft [1' or so that itsother'lateral' teeth lii maybe brought into'engagementwith the lateral teeth 23: of a toothed wheel 24 connected to thesleeve i5. The'reciprocating displacement of the sliding pinion H" in the direction of the double arrow Y can be brought about through the intermediary of a 'fork' 25' (Figures 1 and 3) the two arms of whichrare engaged: in a: circular slot- 26" in the sliding pinion. The movement of the fork 25 will-be explained at a later stage.

Keyed on the shaft II is a pinion 21 meshin with a toothed wheel 28 which is mounted loose on a lay shaft 29. The latter shaft has ribs 30 along which a sliding pinion 3| (Figures 1 and 3) can be moved in the direction of the double arrow Y, the said Sliding pinion rotating the shaft 29 by means of these ribs. This pinion meshes with the toothed wheel 22, which is mounted loose on the shaft II. It has two lateral sets of teeth 32 and 33. In the position illustrated, these two lateral sets of teeth are not engaged with any other set of teeth. The teeth 32 can be brought into engagement with lateral teeth 3.4 of the toothed wheel 28, while the lateral teeth 33 can be brought into engagement with lateral teeth 35 of another toothed wheel 36 mounted loose on the shaft 29. meshes with the sliding pinion 1. The displacement of the sliding pinion 3| in the direction of the double arrow Y is effected through the intermediary of a fork 31 (Figures 1 and 3) the displacement of which will later be explained. Keyed on the shaft 29 is a toothed wheel 38 which meshes constantly with the toothed wheel 24.

When the two sliding pinions I1 and 3| are in the position shown, no movement is transmitted to the output sleeve l5. If the sliding pinion 3| is displaced to the right so that its lateral teeth 32 are in mesh with the lateral teeth 34, the transmission of the rotational movement of the shaft H is effected through the intermediary of the pinion 21, the toothed wheel 28. the sliding pinion 3|, the shaft 29 and the toothed wheels 38 and 24. The speed ratio between the shaft and the sleeve l5 then corresponds to that called the first speed.

If the sliding pinion 3| is returned into the position in which it is shown, while the sliding pinion I1 is displaced to the left so that its lateral teeth H are in mesh with the lateral teeth 23, the transmission of the rotational movement of the shaft H to the sleeve I5 is effected through the intermediary of the sliding pinion I1 and of the toothed wheel 24. This transmission corresponds to the second speed.

If the sliding pinion I1 is returned into the position in which it is shown, while the sliding pinion 3| is displaced to the left so that its lateral teeth 33 are in mesh with the lateral teeth 35, the transmission of the rotational movement of the shaft to the sleeve I5 is effected through the intermediary of the sliding pinion 1, the toothed wheel 36, the sliding pinion 3|, the shaft 29 and the toothed wheels 38 and 24. The speed ratio then corresponds to the third speed.

If the sliding pinion 3| is returned into the position in which it is shown, while the sliding pinion I1 is displaced to the right so that its lateral teeth I 8 are in mesh with the lateral teeth 2|, the transmission of the rotational movement of the shaft H to the sleeve 5 is effected through the intermediary of the sliding pinion l1, the toothed wheel 22, the sliding pinion This other toothed wheel also 3|, the shaft 29 and the toothed wheels 38 and cam-plate 4| has in its periphery a number of notches 44 to 44"", which can take up a position opposite a locking member 45 which holds the cam plate 4| fast and consequently secures the forks 25 and 31 in different positions.

In Figure 4, the cam is shown in the position corresponding to the neutral point of the variable-speed mechanism, this position corresponding to that of the sliding pinions l1 and 3| shown in Figure 1. In Figures 5, 6, '7 and 8, the cam is shown in the position which it occupies in the case of the first, the second, the third and the fourth speed respectively. The pins 42 and 43 are shown in dot and dash lines in each of these figures in order to show diagrammatically the relative position of the forks 25 and 31 and consequently of the sliding pinions l1 and 3| of Figure 1.

To prepare the position to be occupied by the cam, before the instant of the de-clutching during which the change of position takes place, the lever 46 (Figure 3) is actuated and imparts rotation to an operating bar 41 constituted, for example, by a tube and extending through the centre of a circular sector 48. The lever 46 is in rotational engagement with the bar -41 through a fork 46 keyed on the shaft 41 and a pivot 46" which joins the fork 46 to the base 46 of the lever 46 and permits the articulation of the said lever in the fork 46. The lever 46 is adapted to move opposite a sector 48 havin a number of notches 49 to 49", in each of which a nose-piece 50 provided on the lever 46 can be held under the action of a spring 5|, which the user must overcome in order to free the nosepiece 56 from one of the notches 49 to 49"". A sleeve 52 is keyed on the operating bar 41 with the aid of a pin 53 passed into holes 54 and 55 formed in the sleeve 52 and in the bar 41 respectively. The sleeve 52 is connected to a plate 56 forming part of a casing, together with other elements which will hereinafter be described. The inner extremity of a spirally coiled spring 51 is connected to an edge 58 of the plate 56, while the outer extremity of the said spring is connected to a pin 59 connected to an arm 60 which is adapted to pivot about the geometrical axis of the bar 41. The spring 51 is tensioned during fitting. Under the action of this initial tension, the arm 66 is held against an abutment 6| provided on the plate 56 forming part of the casing (Figure 3) The plate 56 also comprises an abutment 62 situated to the rear of the arm 60 with respect to the direction of rotation Z of the operating bar corresponding to a stepping-up of the speeds. The angular position of this abutment 62 will be defined at a later stage. Engaged in the tube 41 constituting the operating bar is the extremity 63 of a member 64, the other extremity 65 of which comprises a nose-piece 66 engaging a, notch 61 formed in a tube 68 supporting the plate 4| out of which the cam slot 40 is hollowed. The said member 64 is therefore in rotational engagement with the tube 68 and the cam plate 4|. The arm 60 is mounted on the member 64 in such a manner as to be able to pivot with respect thereto. The same is the case with an arm 69 provided with a pin 16. The two arms 60 and 69 are maintained in spaced relationshi to one another by a ring 1| drawn in dot-dash lines. The boss 12 of the arm 69 has an internal projection 13 adapted to abut against a projection 14 of the member 64. 60 also has an internal projection 16 adapted The boss 15 of the arm to. abut against a:-projection 11: of' the members constantly forced against the projection 11..

Similarly, the internal projection litendsto be forced constantlyagainst the projection I l-under the action of anotherspirally coiled springflli, the. outer extremity of which is secured to the pin 10 of the arm 69, while its inner extremity is connected to an edge 79 of a plate 80 forming part of the same casing as the plate 56. spiral spring 18, which is also tensioned during. fitting, is coiled in the opposite direction to-the. spiral spring 57, so that the internal projections 73 and; 16, as also the projections M andv H, are oppositely directed to one another. plates 56 and .89 forming part of the same casing are maintained at a suitable distance apart by The 1 The two means of distance pieces, one of which is shown at 8!. These distance pieces are traversed by screws, one of which is shown at 82 thehead 83lof the saidscrews being applied against one. of the plates, while the screwthreaded extremity 84 receives a nut 85. The plate 80 also comprises an abutment 86, against which the arm 69- tends constantly to be maintained under the action of the spring 18.

The operation of the arrangement contained in the casing of which the plates 56 and Biiformpart is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 9 to 14. It will be assumed, for example, that the plates 56 and 89, the abutments 6i and 86, the arms and 69, the springs 57. and E8, the internal projections H3 and '13 and the projections TI and TM- are in the position shown inFigures 9 and it when the operating lever it shown in- Figure 3 occupies the position in which it is shown in this latter figure, that is to say, that in which the third speed is established. It will further be assumed that this lever is shifted in the direction of the arrow Z, which corresponds to the stepping-up of the speeds, until its nose-piece is ating bar '4? carries along the casing of which the plate as forms part. The abutment 85 connectedto the plate as moves the arm 69 until it reaches a position such as that shown in-Figure 11. This displacement of the arm 59' is possible because the internal projection '53 can leave the projection '54, which remains stationary owing. to the fact that the member 54 on which it is providedis held fast by the locking member :15. engaging. the notch 34 (Figure 7). of the spring it remains constant during this displacement because its two extremities 19 and I carry out the same angular movement as the plate 85.

At the end. of this movement of the lever 56, th'eabutment 55 provided on the plate 55 takes up a; position such as that shown in Figure 12.

The arm fiii'remains in the same position as in Figure because the internal projection 16, which is connected thereto, abuts against theprojection H which is held fast at the same time as the member and as the cam plate M of Figure 3 by the locking member i-Ei. During this movement of the operating bar 41, the spring 51is subjected to a supplementary tension since its extremity 58 has moved in the direction of the a-rrowZ, while its extremity 59 has remained" in position.

At the instant when the cam plate 4! is released by the disengagement of the locking member 9/5 in the manner which will later be: de-- The tension scribed, the spring 51 displaces the arm 60 in the direction of the arrow Z until the said arm is.

stopped bythe abutment 6| (Figure 14), which is held fast owing to the engagement of the nosepiece 56 (Figure .3) in the notch 49".

jection it drives the projection]? and also. the member as and the cam plate t l. The cam plate then takes up. the position shown in Figure 8, in:

which the notch 1 5"" hastaken up a position opposite the locking member 65.

The expansion of the spring 51 from the posi- 1 tion shown in Figure 12 to the position of Figure 14 has no effect on the tension of the spring 18,

as may be seen by comparing Figures 11 and 13. In fact, the projection 14 of the member 64 simply returns into the position in which it is in contact with the internal projection 53 held fast by means of the boss 72, the lever 69, the abutment 86, the plate 85, the bar 4? (Figure 3),the lever 36 and the nose-piece 5&3 engaged in the notch 49"".

If, instead of stepping up the speeds, it is de-' sired to effect a stepping-down of the speeds, the

operating lever 45 shown in Figure 3 is shifted in the direction opposite the-arrow Z. As will readily be seen, this displacement would cause tensioning of the spring i8 and maintenance of the spring- 57 under constant tension. The expansion of the spring E8 at the instant of the release of the cam plate ii would bring this cam plate into a position corresponding to the required lower speed I ratio.

Inpractice, no disadvantage would be involved if, during the stepping-down of the speeds, the

speed were brought beyond the stage which is adjacent the speed stage fromwhich the movement is commenced in order to reach directly another stage not adjacent that from which the movement is commenced; This is not so in the case of the stepping-up of the speeds, when the engine must run at a predetermined speed in order If during the to generate the necessary power. course of the stepping-up of the speeds, the user wishes to pass beyond the speed stage next to that from which hecommences in order to employ the second higher stage, this operation, which is likely to harm the engine, will be prevented by.

thev abutment 62. The said abutment is so disposed as to'be stoppedby the arm 6% which, under the action ofthe spring 5?, has its internal projection it-applied-against the projection 'i'l integral with the cam, plate ii, which is locked by the locking member 45. the abutment 52 is such that. it enables the user,

ing:any two non-adjacent stages.

direction of the stepping-up of the speed indicated by the arrow Z. The angular distance between the said abutment B2 and the direction of the arm Gil of Figure 12 is smaller than the smallest angular displacement required to bring about any alteration of a speed ratio.

In the form of embodiment which has just been.

described, the projections M- and' il in rotational engagement 3 with; the. bar 68: to'which; theafore- During this movement of. the arm, Gihthe internal pro! The said-locking. I member'can enter the latter notch at the instant.

The angular, positionof for example as diagrammatically illustrated in Figures 15 and 16, in which the member 64 is seen to comprise a double projection 1? outside the bosses l2 and 15 supporting thearrns 69 and 60. The operation of this variant" is in all. respects identical to that of the preceding variant.

In these two variants, the casing comprising the plates 56 and 80 is connected to the operating arm 41. The arrangement according to the invention could also be employed with the casing connected to the bar 68 supporting the cam plate 4|.

In a variant of this particular case which is diagrammatically illustrated in Figures I'Tand 18, the various elements are arranged in a'siniilar manner to the elements shown in Figures 9 and 10. However, it is to be noted that the projections 14" and 11'', instead of being rigidly connected to the member 64 like the projections 14 and T! of Figures 9 and l0, are connected to the operating bar 4'1. Consequently, the operation of this variant of the arrangement ac,- cording to the invention differs slightly from that of the variant shown in Figures 9 and 10.1" In fact, when the'operating bar 41 is actuated in the direction of the stepping-up of the speeds as 7 shown by the arrow Zjthe projection 14 drives the internal projection 13 and the corresponding arm 65!, while the internal projection 17" moves away from the internal projection 16 connected to the arm 60 which is. maintained in position by the abutment 6|. As a result of this, it is the spring 18 which is tensioned instead of the spring 51 of Figures 9 and 10, the latter spring remaining under constant tension. At the instant when the cam plate is released by the dis- A engagement of the locking member 45, the spring 18 causes rotation of the casing comprising the plates 80 and 56 in the direction of the arrow Z. During the expansion of the spring 18, the tension of the spring 51 continues to remain constant as was the case during the supplementar tensioning of the spring 18. I

It is also to be noted that the projection 62 (instead of being disposed to the rear of the arm 69 as is the projection-62 of Figure with respect to the arm 60) is disposed in front of this arm in order to stop it during its displacement in the direction of the arrow Z beyond the position corresponding to the speed stage adjacent that from which the movement was started,'but before the following stage is reached.

As may be seen both from this variant and from that shown in Figures 9 and 10, the operating bar is stopped when it is displaced in a direction corresponding to a higher speed, be yond the position corresponding to the speed stage next to that from whichthe movement is commenced.

The variant shown in Figures 19 and 20 differs from that shown in Figures and 16 in that the casing 5680 is rigidly connected to the bar 68 supporting the cam and that the projections M'11' outside the bosses 12 and '15 are rigidly connected to the operating bar 41. In addition, as in the form of embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18, theprojection 62' is disposed in front of the arm 69 when the operating bar is shifted in the direction of the stepping-up of the speeds. The operation of this latter arrangement is the same as that of Figures 1'7 and 18. f 7

:1-0 I To effect the disengagement of the lockingdevice 45at the same time as the de-clutching of theclutch disc 9 is produced, the user displaces in the direction of the arrow A a cable I00 con tained in a sheath I 0| (Figures 2 and 21) which is axially fixed. This'cable I08 is secured to an arm I02 keyed on a pivot l3. Also keyed on the said pivotare a fork I04 and another arm [05. The fork Hid thus acts in opposition to the rollers mounted on the rod I 3, which was previously referredto, while the arm I65 is secured to a cableiiiii lodged ina sheath Hi1 and ending at th e locking-member 45 (Figure 4). It w'illbe seen'that the displacement of the cable H10 in the direction of the arrow A (Figure 21) producesit'h'e" displacement of the rods [2 and I3 in the direction of the arrow X (Figure 1), which brings about the" de-clut'ching, and the displacementof the cable Hi6 in the direction of the arrow B (Figures 21 and 1), which lifts the locking member and releases the cam plate ll.

'As will have beenunderstood especially upon considrationof Figures'l and 3, the arrange ment according to the invention may be disposed against the casing of the variable-speed mecha nism. It may alsojbe disposed within the said casing. 'What I claim is: l

1." An arrangement for the control of avariable speed mechanism which is disposed between a clutch mechanismjand a driven shaft and which comprises at least one sliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly'to said pinion, a cam in a plane parallel to said reciprocating motion with which a part of said member rests in contact, a member for controlling the 'declutching of the aforesaid clutch" mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connection between said looking member and the de clutching control member such that'said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the instant when declutching' takes place, a rocking bar on which said'cam iskeyed, a second bar having the same axis as said rocking bar and rotatable about its axis by" the operator for preparing the speed change, movable elements rotatable about one of said bars, a spring having one extremity which rotates with the'bar about which said movable elements donot'rotate while the other extremity thereof is'cOnnectedtO said movable elements, and an abutment mounted on the bar about which said movable" elements do not rotate, againstlwhich'the latter abuts under the action of 'saidjspring when the other bar is rotated.

2. An arrangement for the control of a variable speedmechanism which is disposed between'a clutch'mechani'sm and a driven shaft and which comprises .at least one sliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly :tos aidpinion, a cam in a plane parallel to said recipr o catirig. motion with which a part of said member rests in contact, a member for controllingthe de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connectionbetween said locking mem: her and the declutching control member such that saidlocking member is disengaged fromits locking positionat the instant when the declutching takes place, a rocking. bar on which said cam is keyed, another bar with the same axis as said rocking bar and which can be rotated about its axis. by theoperator for preparing .the speed; chang'ega casing rigidly connected with only sited-die *one ofsaid bars, two rotatableassemblies adapted to independently rotate about thebar to which said casing is not rigidly connected,a first pro j'ection on'that one of the two bars to which the easing is not rigidl connected, said first projectionbein'g disposed in such a'manner asto prevent' the rotation of one rotatable assembly in one direction, a second projection on thesame bar, said second projection being disposed in such a manner as to prevent the rotation'of the-other rotatable assembly in the opposite direction, a spring having one extremity which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said rotatable assemblies, another spring mounted in opposition to the first 'one and one extremity of which is connected to said-casing While the other extremity thereof is connected to the other of said rotatable assembliesgand two abutments towards 'which'said rotatableassemblies are individually urged by the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted on said casing in such a manner as to maintain constant the tensionof one of the two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring varies upon any relative angular displacement between the two aforesaid bars.

3. An arrangement for the control of a variable speed mechanism which is dispos'ed'between a clutch mechanism and a driven'shaft andwhich 'comprisesat least one slidingpinion, comprising a member with'a reciprocating motion connected directly to said pinion, a cam in a "planepar'allel to said reciprocating motion with which apart'of said member rests incontact, amember for controlling the de'clutc'hing of "the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a lockingmember for said cam, a mechanical connection between said locking member and the declutching controlmember such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the instant when the dec'lutching takes place, a rocking bar on which said cam is keyed, another bar'with'the same axis as said rocking bar and which can be retat'ed about its axis by th operator for preparing th speed change, a casing rigidly connected with only one 'of'the said bars, two rotatable assemblies adapted to independently rotate about the bar to which said casing is not rigidly connected, a first projection 'onthat one of the two bars to which'the casing is not rigidly connected, 'said first projection being disposed in such a manner as to prevent the rotation of one rotatable assembly in one direction, a second projection on the same bar, said second projection being disposed in'such a manner as to prevent the r'otation'of the other rotatable assembl in the opposite direction, a spring one extremity of which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said rotatable assemblies, another spring mounted in opposition-withthe first one and one extremity of which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to the other of said rotatable assemblies, and two abutments towards which said rotatable assemblies are individually urged by *the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted on said casing insuch-a manner as-to maintain constant the tensionof one'ofthe two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring varies upon any relative angular displacement between the two aforesaid bars, said opposing springs being fitted with initial tension.

)4. An arrangement for the control of a variable speed mechanism which is disposed between a =12 clutch mechanism and a driven-shaft and which comprises at least onesliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly'to said pinion, a cam in a plane parallel "to said reciprocating motion with which a part of {said member rests in contact, a member for controlling 'the de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connection between saidlocking member and the de-clutching control member such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the: instant whenthe declutching takes place,"a rocking bar on which said cam is keyed, anotherbar with the same axis as "said rockingbar and which can "be rotated about its axis by the user for preparing the speed change, a casing rigidly-connected With'onlyone of said bars,two rotatable assemblies adapted to independently rotate about the bar to which said casing is not rigidly connected, a first projection on that one of the two bars to which the casing is not rigidly connected, said first projection being disposed in such a manner as to prevent the rotation of one rotatable assembly in one direction, a second projection on the same bar; vsaid second projection being disposed in such a manner as to;preven-t the rotation of the other rotatable assembly in the opposite direction, a sprin'g'hav ing one extremity which is connected to said casing While the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said rotatable assemblies, another spring mounted in opposition with the first one and one extremity of which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to the'other of said rotatable assemblies, two .abutments towards which said rotatable assemblies are individually urged by the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted :on said casing in such a manner as tomaintain constant the tension of one of the two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring varies upon any relative angular displacement between the two-aforesaid bars, and a third abutment on said casing-for oneof said rotatable assemblies so disposed as-to stop the preparing bar when the latter is displaced in the direction correspondingto a higher speed, beyond the-position corresponding to the -speed stage adjacent that from which the movement isstarted -and before it has travelled through an angular distance equal to that separating any two mom-adjacent stages.

5. An arrangement forthe control of a variable speed mechanism which is disposed-between a clutchmechanism and a-driven shaft and which comprises at-least one-:slidingpinion, comprising a member with-a reciprocating'motio'n connected directly-to said pinion, acam in-1a :plane parallel to said 'reciprocating motion :with which a *part of "said :memberwrests in contact, a member for controlling ;the de-clutching 0f the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said earn, a mechanical connection between said locking member and :the de-clhtching :con'trol member such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at 'the instant when the de-clutching-takes place, a rocking bar on which said 'cam is keyed, another bar with the same axis assaid rocking bar and which "can berotated about its axisby the user for preparing the speed change, a casing rigidly rconnected with only one of said bars, 'two arms-adaptedtto independently pivot about the bar to which saidt-c'asing :lS'IllOt rigidly connectedya boss fixedr-to each of said arms, an internal ijproje'ctionmounted on "each situated on the'travel of said internalpr'oj e'ctions,

one of the projections on the lastbar b'eing disposed on one side of one of said internal projections while the other projection on this bar is disposed on the other sideof the other internal projection, a spring having one extremity which is connected :to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said pivoting'arms, another spring mounted in opposition with the first one and one extremity of which is connected to said casing whilethe other extremity thereof is connected to the other of said pivoting arms, and two abutments towards which said pivoting arms are individually urged by the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted on said casing in such a manner as to maintain constant the tension of one of the two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring varies upon any relative angular displacement between the two aforesaid bars.

6. An arrangement for the control of a variable speed mechanism which is disposed between a clutch mechanism and a driven shaft and which comprises at least one sliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly to said pinion, a cam in a plane parallel to said reciprocating motion with which part of said member rests in contact, a member for controlling the de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connection between said locking member and the de-clutching control member such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the instant when the declutching takes place, a rocking bar on which said cam is keyed, another bar with the same axis as said rocking bar and which can be rotated about its axis by the user for preparing the speed change, a casing rigidly connected to the preparing bar, two arms adapted to independently pivot about the bar on which said cam is keyed, two projections on this bar, so disposed as to serve as abutments for said arms when they pivot, one of said projections being disposed so as to limit the pivoting of one arm in one direction while the other projection is disposed so as to limit the pivoting of the other arm in the opposite direction, a spring having one extremity which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said pivoting arms, another spring mounted in opposition to the first one and one extremity of which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to the other of said pivoting arms, and two abutments towards which said pivoting arms are individually urged by the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted on said casing in such a manner as to maintain constant the tension of one of the two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring is increased by the angular displacement of the casing.

7. An arrangement for the control of a variable speed mechanism which is disposed between a clutch mechanism and a driven shaft and which comprises at least one sliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly to said pinion, a cam in a plane parallel to said reciprocating motion with which a part of said member rests in contact, a member for controlling the de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connection between said looking member and the declutching control ,member such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the instant when the declutching takes place, a rocking bar on which said cam is keyed, another bar with the same axis as said rocking bar and which can be rotated about its axis by the user for preparing the speed change, a casing rigidly connected to the preparing bar, two arms adapted to independently pivot about the bar on which said .cam is keyed, two projections on this last, bar, so disposed so as to serve as abutment for said arms when they pivot, one of said projections being disposed so as to limit the pivotingof one arm in one direction while the other projection is disposed so as to limit the pivoting of the other arm, in the opposite direction, a spring having one extremity which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to one of said pivoting arms, another spring mounted in opposition to the first one and one extremity of which is connected to said casing while the other extremity thereof is connected to the other of said pivoting arms, two abutments towards which said pivoting arms are individually urged by the corresponding springs, said abutments being mounted on said casing in such a manner as to maintain constant the tension of one of the two opposing springs while the tension of the other spring varies upon any relative angular displacement between the two aforesaid bars, and a third abutment on said casing so disposed so as to be stopped, when the preparing bar is displaced in the direction corresponding to the higher speed stage adjacent that from which the movement is started and before it has travelled through an angular distance equal to that separating any two non-adjacent stages, by that one of the two aforesaid pivoting arms which during said deplacement of the preparing bar in the direction corresponding to the higher speed stage is stopped by one of said projections in spite of the action of the spring whose tension is increased by said displacement of the preparing bar.

8. An arrangement for the control of a variable speed mechanism which is disposed between a clutch mechanism and a driven shaft and which comprises at least one sliding pinion, comprising a member with a reciprocating motion connected directly to said pinion, a cam in a plane parallel to said reciprocating motion with which a part of said member rests in contact, a member for controlling the de-clutching of the aforesaid clutch mechanism, a locking member for said cam, a mechanical connection between said locking member and the declutching control member such that said locking member is disengaged from its locking position at the instant when the declutching takes place, a rocking bar on which said cam is keyed, another bar with the same axis as said rocking bar and which can be rotated about its am's by the user for preparing the speed change, a casing rigidly connected with only one of said bars, two rotatable assemblies adapted to independently rotate about the bar to which said casing is not rigidly connected, a first projection on that one of the two bars to which the casing is not rigidly connected, said first projection being disposed in such a manner as to prevent the rotation of one rotatable assembly in one direction, a second projection on the same bar, said second projection being disposed in such a manner as to prevent the rotation of the other rotatable as- 'midi in' t-h'e opposite dir'eetion, aspirla1ly cbild spring one extremity-of which is c'ofin'ected to sai'd casing While the otherextremi'ty thereof is '6011-' nectedto one of said rotatable assemblies, vanother spirally 'coiled spring mounted i-n opposition to the'first one and one extremity o f which "is :connected to said casing while the-other extremity ther'eof is connected to the-other of said'rotatable assemblies, and two iabutments towards which said rotatable assemblies are individually urged by the correspondingspirally coiled springs,

said abutments being mounted on said leasing in .s'u'ch a manneras to maintain constant the tension of one :of the two opposing spirally coiled springs while the tension of the other spirally coiledsspring varies upon any :relative angular displacementbetweenthe two aforesaid bars.

FRANCOIS PIERRE JOSEPH HECTOR DUMONT.

Number GITED The "ft'illom'fi'ng "references are of record in the file "of this patent: v

STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,993,454 Peterson Mar. 5,1935

. FOREIGN PATENTS 10 Number Country Date 171,663 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1935 339,964 Germany Aug. 25, 1921 435,028 Great Britain Sept. 11, 1935 782,351 France June '4, 1935 15 

